In Titus and in 1 Timothy Paul reveals characteristics and skills of godly leadership. What he teaches is surprising.
Most leadership descriptions in the West include such terms as visionary, courage, integrity, motivating, a good communicator, team builder, etc. You see aspects of some of these in Paul’s descriptions, (e.g., integrity), but there are at least two things that may be surprising in Paul’s lists of good leaders.
First, Paul writes that any biblical leader must have a godly family. There is a focus in these passages on the family that often gets ignored in decisions about leaders. In the business world people see a dichotomy between the home and the workplace, and, unfortunately, that same mentality often applies in church and ministry leadership as well. When I consider God’s word about leadership I am encouraged as to why family ministry (one of our callings) is so critical to the advancement of the Great Commission around the world.
Second, Paul writes that a good leader will be hospitable.
Hospitable? That seems completely odd. Do leaders need to take courses on etiquette and know how to fold a napkin?
The Greek word is philoxenos, meaning lover of strangers, and demonstrates that any leader worth his or her biblical salt must be someone who is approachable and welcoming to those who are different. Moreover, in practice, it truly means opening up one’s home, sharing one’s blessings, anticipating others’ needs, being others focused, and loving diversity.
So, if you desire to be a leader and a disciple maker, something all followers of Jesus are called to, start inviting people you don’t know into your home. Invite people from other cultures; invite missionaries; invite your neighbors. To be able to entertain strangers in your home, you will also find you need to make sure you have a well managed household. So, as you open things up, you will also likely find yourself dependent on God to help you manage your family well, too.
